Advantages

Disadvantages

Indispensable!

A few years ago I decided I needed to do something about the hideous and massive pores on my nose. Being a devotee of Clinique's allergy tested luxury products, I saved up some money and took myself off to the Clinique counter (having first ensured that there was a Bonus Time offer on, of course - if I was going to spend lots of money on full size products I wanted to be taking advantage of that and getting some freebies into the bargain!).

I bought two products that day from the Pore Minimizer range - Refining Serum, and Instant Perfector. It annoyed me somewhat that Clinique can't spell 'minimiser', but I was willing to let that pass if the products would solve my issues!

The Instant Perfector isn't a long-term solution; it merely fills in the holes like Polyfilla. Having pale skin I opted for 01 Invisible Light, which wasn't yet a song by the Scissor Sisters otherwise I might have found myself singing in Debenhams' Beauty Department. It is also available in Invisible Deep and Invisible Bright.

I prefer to apply it before foundation, but you can also apply afterwards. You need just a really tiny squirt of it. It is like a thick foundation and the texture is similar to mousse foundations. You blend it in using your fingers and it really does fill up the holes and makes them almost invisible. It has a matte finish and feels very smooth. There is no discernible smell at all.

One application is enough to last the whole day for me.

At £20 for 15ml it sounds expensive, but it lasts a very long time and is the only product I have ever found to work so well. It is quite indispensable!

Comments

Advantages

Disadvantages

great product which gives flawless looking skin

I don't go to any event without this on. I have very big open pores and also scarring on my cheeks from blemishes and spots and find that this works wonders. It is really thick and creamy with a skin colour which glides on so easily to your skin. It doesn't feel cloggy at all but is so light you don't notice it. I put this on underneath my makeup and it gives a really good even base. It basically fills in the small dints and pores on your skin so that when it is on, the imperfections are not visible any more. Then you use your foundation over the top and your skin looks flawless. It isn't designed for scars, but I do have a small one just below my eyebrow which I also use this product on, and I find it visibly improves the look of it. I don't use this evryday as it is on the expensive side, but when you are needing a perfect look, and if you have scarred skin, this is a necessity!

Comments

Advantages

Disadvantages

A good product worth having

I have recently started using the pore minimiser daily and it really does make a difference to the appearance of your skin. I use it along with the clarifying lotion, moisturiser and the Even Better foundation. I have noticed that my skin appears smoother, but in time the daily serum should provide a more permanent solution to enlarged pores. I have not used this for long enough to see results but will review it when I have! I think overall the minimiser is a great product, it keeps any shine at bay too and is effective in hot and humid weather as I found out on this summers holiday. A downside is that the product is quite expensive but as with the cosmetics ranges it is worth taking advantage of bonus time promotions to get free samples of other products, I've built up a collection of cleansers etc meaning I don't need to buy full size packs. They are great for travel too.

Comments

Advantages

Disadvantages

A great product - gives a great base for your makeup

Clinique Pore Minimizer is the best on the market I have found. A little goes a very long way. With mine I put on under my foundation for a flawless finish. The tube I had lasted well over a year so great value for money. I found I only needed a tiny amount. It has a creamy smooth velvety feel on your hands and when you apply it. My skin instantaneously looked clear and felt velvety smooth. I love this item. If I was only able to choose one makeup item in my bag - this would be it. It just makes your skin feel airbrushed and smooth. Out of such a small tube it can make your skin look great. It also has little or no scent which is great for me as I have sensitivity to some products which are highly perfumed - this is not. I have not always been a fan of all the Clinique products - but this one I definitely am. If you want a smooth looking complexion this is a great base and a great product to use.

Comments

Advantages

Disadvantages

3/5 too much money to just cover up pores.

Although I've used quite a few products to combat the problem I've always been really conscious of my pores, especially on my nose and chin. I've always had short lived results with various products helping initially but then the problem creeping back again after a few weeks. My Mum received Clinique Pore Minimiser Instant Perfector as a freebie in Boots when she bought some products there was some sort of an offer going on and she managed to pick this up for nothing.

Price and Availability

I received a sample which was about 7ml I think (they usually are), however the normal tube is 15ml and will set you back £13.50 in Boots. To be honest I don't think this price is too bad, unlike many Clinique products it's pretty much mid- price range and there's quite a lot of product for your money because you don't need to use much.

Packaging

The Pore Minimiser comes in a white squeezy tube which sits upside down, so all the last bits of the product can be used. The lid for the tube is silver and screws on; it's sturdy and doesn't come undone easily. The packaging is simple but glam and fits neatly into any makeup bag or onto any dressing table.

Application

It's easy to get a small amount of the cream out of the tube which means you don't waste any of the product. The cream has an unusual texture, it's quite thick and rather than acting to eliminate pores it just covers them up, sort of a base to make your foundation go on better. If I'd have just picked this up and bought it I would have been disappointed as the name does suggest that it helps to get rid of enlarged pores rather than just cover them up. As I mentioned before you do only need a small amount to get decent coverage, I do tend to use it just on my nose and chin, if I used it on my whole face it would be a bit of a waste.

Results

I was pleased that the pores on my nose and chin did appear to be less visible, especially when I applied makeup. My skin seemed a lot smoother and just generally in better condition. My skin wasn't irritated at all by the product, but once the makeup was removed my pores just looked exactly the same.

Overall

Although the product does work to make pores look better it doesn't do anything to eliminate enlarged pores, it's just a cover up and not a solution to the problem. The cream is expensive when you consider what it does, I expected a lot more from this product and although it worked it could have worked better.

Comments

Advantages

Disadvantages

Good product. 8/10

OVERVIEW

I have MASSIVE pores and it's a pain - I get blackheads so easily despite using really nice natural products on my face every day to cleanse away the dirt. It also isn't particularly pretty to have huge pores. So when I saw this I thought it was worth a try as I have used and liked Clinique products before. I got mine in Boots for £13.50 - a little pricey but worth it I think.

PRICE

As I just mentioned, the product cost me £13.50. I personally think that this product is worth the money as it has been fairly successful in making my pores appear smaller. In conjunction with Boots advantage card points and offers I think it is fairly affordable, though could be cheaper.

PACKAGING

This is in the classic green Clinique packaging - very simple but pretty classic and attractive. It looks nice when its all lined up with other Clinique products!

PRODUCT

This supposedly works by concealing your pores - like a very specially targetted concealer. I'm not totally sure of the science behind it but I'm sure a quick Google search would be useful if you were interested in how it works. I wouldn't say it worked MIRACLES but it did make my pores appear smaller and helped hide some of the blackheads and holes I had in my face. The product also smells quite nice!

Comments

Advantages

Disadvantages

.

I do unfortunately get the odd Enlarged Pores, along with all the other skin issues that I suffer from. Wished I had nice looking skin, but all I can try and do is fix what I have unfortunately.

So what is this product? It works by minimising your Pores and therefore making your skin look smoother. I have heard this kind of product being advertised as a Primer in the way that you apply a product like this before you apply Foundation so that your Foundation will sit on your face perhaps that bit better as there isn't these large bumpy Pores that the Foundation would settle in.

I got this in a little Sample sized tube which I think was around 7ml. This was another great freebie in my little Clinique bonus time pack which you often get when you buy 2 full sized products. The little Bonus pack seems to change the products often so you may get to try a lot of the range.

The texture of this is a bit odd - well not odd, but it is like a Cream, but a shiny cream which feels a bit heavy, but when you rub this on it seems to be a little like a powder. A little bit of this goes a long way and since I only notice more enlarged Pores on or around my nose then I only need a little blob of this. Since there is a point at the end of this which by squeezing the tube a little you will get a little blob out of this then it is easy to just get a little amount of this out.

The best way to apply a product like this is after you Cleanse your face. I would say that it is best to let your products that you have cleaned your face with settle for perhaps 5 minutes and then apply this.

So does this work? I feel that this does a good job. I don't really have a huge amount of experience with a product such as this as have only used this one and 1 other brand. This rubs in easily enough and seems to work straight away. I noticed that my pores seemed to be smaller and the area just seemed to be smoother and not so noticible.

I looked for the price of this and it costs around £14 for a 15ml tube which seems expensive, but as I said a little of this goes a long way.

Comments

Advantages

Disadvantages

This product lasts a long time, leaves your skin looking gorgeous, and doesn't clog up the skin.

I received the Clinique Pore Minimizer Instant Perfector for Christmas, and I absolutely adore it!

I suffer from obvious open pores around the nose area, and this corrects them beautifully. It blends well with my skin, and is so easy and pleasant to apply. Long have I been searching for a product like this, that reduces the appearance of big open pores, and doesn't leave my skin feeling blocked up and slimy. For such a small bottle, you wouldn't expect it to last long, but fortunately only a small amount is needed to obtain the desired effect of a smooth skin surface, so it lasts a long time. It usually costs around £20.00, which may again be a high price to pay for such a small item, but I think it is well worth the cost. I have not found another product to match it. In the past six months I have used it an average of twice a week, and still have plenty left. I shall most certainly buying this product again in the future, and would recommend it to anyone who also feels the pain of having unsightly open pores. As I mentioned before, it appears to do no harm to my skin, whereas some foundation products leave me with spot outbreaks, and itchiness. Also, once applied, the effects last a good eight hours.

Comments

Advantages

Disadvantages

A product to temporarily minimise the appearance of pores and to keep the skin matte.

Enlarged pores are a real pain. Not only do they mean that my skin is producing too much oil but it also means that I am more prone to spots and blackheads because my pores get clogged easily.

I wear oil controlling moisturiser. I exfoliate every day. I tone my skin each morning. But still when I apply my foundation, part of the make up smoothes over the surface of my skin while the other half settles deep in my pores, thereby making my enlarged all the more noticeable to those who may have not spotted them yet.

What can you do about it?Wearing a make up primer can help with this problem as it essentially fills in the cracks before you begin, allowing you to work on an even surface. Think plastering the walls, before painting them. But sometimes they can feel heavy on the skin or appear chalky and so I have a love-hate relationship will many of them.

Then I stumbled upon the Pore Minimiser Instant Perfector by Clinique. With promises of minimising the appearance of my pores with an invisible coverage, it seemed to be just what I needed. It also claimed to keep the complexion matte by de-shining the skin and it even claimed that sweat would be no contest.

It is suitable for all skin types but unless you have a problem with your pores then it's not really necessary. It is fragrance free and allergy tested so it's ok for use on sensitive skin.

The product comes in two shades, both of which essentially disappear into the skin. You can chose between invisible light and invisible deep and with my milky pale skin, invisible light was the obvious choice.

How do you use the product?The product needs to be applied to skin after you have finished you usual morning skin routine. For me that means after I have cleansed, toned, exfoliated and moisturised. Gosh it's hard being a woman! I apply the product only to the areas of my face where my pores are large and noticeable which is mainly on the apple of my cheeks and my nose. I take a small amount of the product and smooth it over the enlarged pore areas.

The effects are instant, your pores will be reduced in appearance and your skin looks smooth. Then you apply your make up in the usual way. Obviously the effects from this product are purely cosmetic and when wash off your make up, your pores will be back in all their massive glory. The product can be worn alone or underneath make up. Clinique also say you can wear it on top of make up but I wouldn't advise that.

Price & PackagingThe product costs around £13 for a tiny 15ml which isn't cheap but as you are only using it on targeted areas, then it should still last you quite a long time. I bought mine from Boots but it is also available in many department stores and also from plenty of online websites so if you shop around then you may find it for cheaper.

The packaging follows the usual plain pattern adopted by Clinique to reflect the purity of what is on the inside. The product is encased within a plain thin shiny pearlescent tube with a green screw top lid.

What do I think? I think that when used as a primer, this product is fantastic. It has a thick and creamy consistency so a little bit goes a long way. The product glides over the skin and as it has a silky texture, it won't drag the skin or make it look dry. It sinks into the pores easily and gives you an even surface on which to work on.

As a wear alone product, I don't rate it. Despite it being called invisible light, it's really not invisible and you can notice it in the pores when looking up close. The product is not clear and has a foundation type colour to it and although the part on my skin matches perfectly, the part that sinks into my pores looks slightly different. When foundation is applied, it does become invisible but not without, in my opinion.

Whichever way that you chose to use it, the product does help the skin to appear matte and my face feels fresh and clean for longer when I am wearing it. It reduces the shine and it keeps my make up looking better for longer. It needs to be applied to well moisturised skin otherwise, it will dry out and look chalky.

The product is so small that unless you only use it on targeted areas then it will be gone before you know so I wouldn't advise using it on the whole face. I also noticed that after a while, the product inside the tube begins to get a little dry and crumbly and therefore doesn't glide onto the skin properly anymore. However, I've only ever had one tube long enough for that to happen.

All in all, if you wear make up daily and want something to give you a smooth surface to work on and something that will make your complexion appear matte, then this is worth a try. If you don't wear make up or have enlarged pores on the majority of your face, I'd say you'd be better off trying something else. As this product suits my needs, I'll give it high marks but I think this product would have very different results on different people.

Comments

Advantages

Disadvantages

Minimizes pores well, can be used alone or under make up.

When I was getting married I decided to do my own make up, and as I didn't own much I asked around for recommendations. My mother recommended this pore minimizer so I went to check it out on the Clinique counter in Debenhams. I was really suprised with the results.

It does what it says on the tin. My pores are much less visible and my skin is more matt and smooth looking when I have it on. I tend to dab it on my nose, chin and forehead and then rub it in gently. I wear this product underneath my make up but sometimes I have just worn it on it's own, as it looks very natural.

My Mum said that she needs to wait a little before putting on make up on top or it flakes off. But I never have this problem so maybe it depends on your skin type (mine is combination and my Mum's is dry). I would definately buy it again and the tube has lasted a long time.

Comments

Advantages

Disadvantages

Never try anything else, Clinique are professional and you only get one skin

I have bad skin and I'm prone to imperfections and blemishes. I have used practically everything ele on the market, but was advised to try this.

What a difference it makes to your skin. I mean it doesnt happen instantly but within twelve hours you can see a difference. Now I will only use clinique products on my skin, they really work.

This particular product works by absorbing excess oils on the skin leaving the skin with a matt feel. The pores are then closed preventing them from absorbing the oils which can cause spots.

Although Clinique is at the top end of the market price wise I feel that their products do the best for my skin. I use everything from the facial wash to makeup. Yes you do pay a premium for a quality product, but its surprising how little you have to use, so in all honesty the cost evens out over the cheaper products on the market, which just dont work.

Your skin deserves the best. You only have one skin after all and as Clinique have cleverly designed all their products around skin type, you really cant go wrong. If in doubt there is always an asvisor in-store to talk to and my experience is that they are VERY approachable, friendly and will not push you into buying something you dont want.

If you simply tell them the problem they will guide you to the products most suited and if you're lucky get a few samples too!

Comments

Advantages

Disadvantages

Small but mighty

OK so me and my greasy skinned self went on the hunt once again for a product which would allow me to go more than 3 hours without becoming a shiny, slimy mess! Now my make up is always oil free as a rule but I wanted something to act as a primer to hold off the oil for a bit longer. I do use Mac's blotting powder which is great but I wanted something which meant I would not have to powder up too often and prevent my make up looking in anyway cakey!

Enter Clinique pore minimiser instant perfector! I bought this from a Clinique counter in House of Fraser for £13 which I thought was not too bad because Clinique is a reputable brand known for it's skin care range.

Anyway onto the product the pore minimiser comes in what seems to be quite a small size about 40ml which at first glance I thought would not last me the week however the kind assistant assured me I would not need to use a lot at any one time.

While I bought this to go under my make up it can be used alone or on top of make up as well, which is a plus, there is no real fragrance to this that I can make out.To use simply dot the pore minimiser all over the face, I out a bit more where I am especially oily. To be honest I apply about 4 dots on each cheek one on the chin and nose and about 2 on the forehead. I then rub it in. As soon as you begin to rub it in you can feel the mattness, the liquid is not greasy at all and I found when I first used it putting any more than what I stated was a bit much and felt a bit powdery (that's as close as I can describe it sorry!)

Anyway after using I applied my make up as normal and off I went. I applied it at about 7.45am before going to work, at about 11 while at work I checked how I was holding out and was impressed to see that my face was not really that greasy, I just blotted a little around the nose and that was that. Now bear in mind usually without any help my face by then would usually be shiny, greasy and my make up looking somewhat slimy, so big improvement, I was one happy bunny!

Overall I think although it is small a little goes a long way and the difference in my skin was clear, if you have oily skin like me I would say it was worth a try and after 2 weeks use I am sure this will become a staple product for me.